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‘Black Panther’ designer puts a modern spin on traditional African garb to create out-of-this-world film fashion

TO translate the futuristic African garb of “Black Panther” from comic books to screen, Marvel Studios turned to Ruth E. Carter, the powerhouse costume designer behind lauded black-experience films such as “Selma,” “Malcolm X” and “Lee Daniels’ The Butler.” More than 700 costumes are used in this film — and they are so original and fabulous, they’ve even inspired a New York Fashion Week show that’s happening on Monday. Here, Carter reveals how she created some of the movie’s most striking looks.

THE DORA MILAJE

For the fierce warriors of Wakanda, Carter infused a Japanese armor design with African beads and leather work. Danai Gurira is seen early in the film wearing real metal neck rings, but in later stuntheavy fight scenes, the Dora Milaje wear rubber replicas molded from the original pieces. “That adds to the flexibility and the safety,” says Carter. ZURI (Forest Whitaker) T’Challa’s mentor dons a pleated, purple, silk piece inspired by the work of Japanese designer Issey Miyake, and adornments include a beaded tabard from the Zulu tradition and cuffs influenced by the Tuareg people of North Africa. “He has a little bit of everything,” says Carter, “and that was intentional, because he’s a shaman and he really needed to represent all people.”

RAMONDA (Angela Bassett)

As the queen of Wakanda, Ramonda wears a 3-Dprinted headpiece inspired by Zulu designs, and her voluminous skirt gives a nod to Victorian style. “I felt it was necessary to have this commanding presence, and this bigness and this beauty,” says Carter.